Anyone watching the BBC programme would have seen that one of the eagle-eyed producers spotted Alonso’s rear wing opening briefly where it shouldn’t have done. I also noticed that whilst trying to pass Schumacher early on, it wouldn’t open for him so this was obviously a technical fault. Nonetheless, it was still against the regulations. So will Alonso get a penalty? Or were the BBC the only ones to notice it – and the FIA didn’t?

Ferrari have a DRS system that is activated by a foot pedal. It could be that a lot of times Alonso’s foot is just resting on that pedal after hitting the brakes. Additionally, it is a screw up an the part of the FIA. Why the hell was his DRS system even available during that part of the circuit? If there is anyone who should be penalised it should be the FIA, as it could have led to a potentially dangerous situation for a driver to have a DRS wing suddenly available to him.

Some people really will clutch at anything to try and attack a driver they don’t like. It was a DRS error which meant it was active 300m late on the back straight, and then was mistakenly still active for a time after the hairpin. It wasn’t intentional he didn’t gain and advantage and it really is completely irrelevant.

Yep agree with jonnyw360f1 about the rules. Sauber got penalised in Oz for a tiny infringement that didn’t bring any benefit. Its my opinion that the rules should be followed to the letter as they have been thus far this season. Therefore, the fact that no advantage was gained is irrelevant.

Come on Ads, you’re a bit overly defensive of Ferrari at times. It’s a perfectly reasonable question, obviously Alonso is unpopular and has a history of controversy so it’s hardly surprising that people have picked up on this. Assuming it was accidental then there is no need for any penalty, but I can see why people were initially suspicous

Assuming that was the only time it opened out of the zone I dont think it will be a problem, and as has been said it’s the FIA’s fault that it did open, since it is supposed to be locked out at that point.

He didn’t have to brake with DRS open. He closed it, as per usual, and activated it for a moment on the short straight. Could there be something on it, like Ferrari having it automatic when reaching a certain gear?

The BBC footage showed the wing closed coming out of the hairpin, it opened and then closed again. One explanation could be this; the wing closes as a consequence of braking – the angle at which the wing is when open means that under braking the wing will automatically close. Maybe in the heat of the moment Alonso kept his finger on the button and it then opened under acceleration? A far-fetched story, I know…but maybe plausible? Even so, Alonso should probably get penalised – like sw pointed out, the Saubers got penalised for an even smaller indiscrepancy in Melbourne.